Donegal decision to postpone games delights Bradley

Ryan Bradley has expressed delight with the Donegal County Board’s decision to postpone this weekend’s club championship games.

A number of the county players could line out in league fixtures this weekend but none will be risked in the more intense SFC games, which have been pushed back for the second time in two months, ahead of the August 26 All-Ireland semi-final against Cork.

“We’re over the moon with that,” said Bradley. “We were trying hard to get them postponed. It probably makes sense. Neil Gallagher hurt his ankle after a league match this year and Leo McLoone missed out with a broken cheekbone in club championship. It gives us better preparation for the Cork game and it is needed.”

Buncrana man Bradley is delighted there has been so much goodwill shown towards the panel.

“Most of the clubs have backed us. A couple of weeks ago, before the Ulster final, we had more bother trying to get the games called off. But I think they are happy enough and are behind us and they are looking forward to the Cork game as much as we are.”

Bradley admitted the team have never enjoyed a victory as much as last Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final win over Kerry.

“When we got the draw we were happy enough to test ourselves against Kerry, we weren’t overawed by it. We were looking forward to it more than anything else. Probably beating Kerry has been the highlight of our year so far. The amount of All-Ireland finals they’ve been in, the amount of All Stars and footballers of the year that were in the team on Sunday, Kerry is probably the best footballing team in the country and to beat them in Croke Park, it was a great feeling.

“It was one of the best feelings I’ve had in a long time playing football.”

Cork present a different challenge and can be considered a more physical opponent than Kerry. Bradley got to see some of Cork’s quarter-final win over Kildare on Sunday but it gave him a false impression of what happened.

“I saw about 10 minutes of the first-half and at that stage it looked to be all Kildare. But we missed the second half and Cork steamrolled them a bit. They are very big, powerful and athletic and they get big scores and don’t concede too much. We know after last weekend we have to play a lot better to beat them in the semis.”